30-HOUR PESTICIDE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION COURSE

DATES: 

January 26 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - break - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

January 28 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - break - 1:00 PM - 4:15 PM

January 30 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - break - 1:00 PM - 4:15 PM

February 4 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - break - 1:00 PM - 4:15 PM

February 6 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

February 9 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - break - 12:00 PM - 3:15 PM

 

VENUE: Irondequoit Community Center, Seneca Room - 450 Skyview Center Parkway, Suite 200, Rochester, NY 14622 or Virtual (Zoom)

*Virtual option available, select "Zoom" when registering under "Format Type" - add $15 for shipping/handling of Core Manual for Full-Course registrants*

COST: Entire Course: $750.00 (includes manual)
           Individual Sessions: $75.00 (manuals purchased separately)

If you are getting recertification credits you will be asked to provide your current NYSDEC license when signing in at the event. 

If you are registering 5 or more people from the same organization, you may be eligible for a 10% discount. Contact Jarmila Haseler for more information -jh954@cornell.edu. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------330-HOUR COURSE OVERVIEW

The 30 Hour Course is a series of classes for individuals working in the horticulture industry who need certification as a commercial pesticide applicator technician in NYS DEC categories 3 & 25. Upon completion of the 30 Hour Course, applicants are eligible to take the core and one category exam administered by the NYS DEC - CLICK HERE FOR EXAM LINK

DEC APPLICATION PROCESS

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION

Pesticide Applicator/Technician Certification

CLICK HERE FOR CERTIFICATION

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DETAILED SESSION SCHEDULE:

Session 1 AM - Monday, January 26, 2026 (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) - Turfgrass Pests
Kyle Wickings, Cornell University: Participants will gain knowledge of turf insects, scouting and monitoring techniques, and traditional and alternative control options will be discussed.  Credits: 3a-3, 3b-3, 25 - 3

Session 1 PM - Monday, January 26, 2026 (1:00 PM to 2:00 PM) - An In-Depth Look at IPM, Marci Muller, CCE Monroe (Retired): Understand the six steps of IPM and techniques for monitoring, identification of the pest, the biology, thresholds, control options, evaluation. Credits: Core 1

Session 2 AM - Wednesday, January 28, 2026 (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) - Pesticide CORE Competency I, Mike Helms, Pesticide Safety Education Program, Cornell University:
Pesticide types, formations, toxicity, and environmental considerations of pesticide use, calibration, mixing calculations, and application equipment. Credits: Core - 3

Session 2 PM - Wednesday, January 28, 2026 (1:00 PM - 4:15 PM) - Personal Protective Equipment, Pesticide Exposure Risk and Toxicity & Interpreting Pesticide Labels
Mike Helms, Pesticide Safety Education Program, Cornell University: Personal safety is key when using pesticides. This session describes what is and what is not appropriate for use. Reading a label correctly is critical to both making an effective application and to protecting people and the environment by preventing misuse of the product. Credits: Core - 3

Session 3 AM - Friday, January 30, 2026 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) - Critters in the Landscape  Lynn Braband, NYS IPM Program, Cornell (retired): Covers the legal framework and management of damage caused by wildlife in lawns and landscapes. Cultural practices, pesticide use, and other management techniques will be discussed. Credits:  3a-3; 3b-3; 25-3

Session 3 PM - Friday, January 30, 2026 (1:00 PM - 4:15 PM) - Weeds of the Landscape
Marci Muller, CCE Monroe (retired): Weed identification is key to creating a management plan. Attendees will be instructed on how to identify common and invasive weeds. Pesticide resistance, cultural, and pesticide management will be covered. Credits: 3a-3; 3b-3; 25-3

Session 4 AM - Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) - Ornamental Plant Pathology   Karen L. Snower-Clift, Plant Diagnostic Clinic, Cornell University: This session covers the types of plant diseases seen in our landscapes and gardens. Focuses on understanding the fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens causing diseases. Various methods will be covered for the management of plant diseases. Spotted Lantern Fly will be discussed. Credits: 3a-3; 3b-3; 25-3

Session 4 PM - Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (1:00 PM - 4:15 PM) - Pesticide Core Competency II, Mike Helms, Pesticide Safety Education Program, Cornell University:
Covers pesticide security, including proper transportation, storage, and disposal, safety precaution issues, including poisoning symptoms, residue, and tolerance. Fundamental concepts of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) will be presented. Credits: Core-3

Session 5 - Friday, February 6, 2026 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) - DEC Rules and Regulations, Updates, Chris Wainwright, NYS DEC: Rules and regulations required to become a certified pesticide applicator, detailed look at the requirements for record keeping and reporting. Questions asked and information required at the on-site inspection will be explained. Credits: Core-3

Session 6 AM - Monday, February 9, 2026 (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM) - Intro to Turfgrass and Its Diseases, Carl Salvatore Schimenti, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University: How to grow healthy turf and linking expectations about lawn quality, combined with learning about various turf diseases will be discussed. Covers the IPM approach to managing diseases and keeping turf healthy. Credits: Core-2

Session 6 PM - Monday, February 9, 2026 (12:00 PM - 3:15 PM) - Applied Ornamental Entomology, Brian Eshenaur, Associate Director, Invasive Species, IPM Cornell University:
Correct identification of insect pests is a prerequisite to developing a management plan. Participants will gain an understanding of insect identification, life cycles, feeding patterns, and damage to landscape ornamental plants, along with cultural, alternative, and traditional management options. Credits: 3a-3; 3b-3, 25-3

Printable Agenda available at:

https://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/resources/course-schedule-and-information-2026

 

 

Registration for event has CLOSED.